Previously, Mark announced his departure from all NCT units and SM Entertainment.
Mark Lee Withdraws From NCT — Leaves SM Entertainment
Not long after the news, he was removed from all official NCT accounts.
Mark Removed From All Official NCT Accounts, Leaves Message To Fans
Most recently, he sent a long message to fans on the fan messaging platform, Bubble, as it was his last day before his Bubble service would be terminated.
| Bubble
“Hello, how have you been doing? I feel like I’ve been only talking about heavy things to you all, so my heart hasn’t been at ease. But today, since it will probably be my last Bubble for a while, I’m sending this message with a heavy heart again today…I never imagined a day like this would come, or that I’d be saying something like this to you, writing this feels strange…
If you have received even a little strength from my Bubble, or if I gave you a bit of good energy to get through your day, I would be so happy, relieved, and grateful. I know I haven’t been able to send messages often, but every time I did, I meant it sincerely, hoping you would feel encouraged. You might not know, but I received so much strength from your Bubble. Even these days, when I read your messages, there were so many times I was comforted.
In that sense, this space called Bubble was always fun, and because you guys seemed to have fun too, it made me happier. But because the service ends today, I am worried and have a heavy heart that it will make you so sad and make it hard for you…”
— Mark
| Bubble
“But you know this isn’t really the end, right? And you know it doesn’t mean we’ll never communicate again, right? As the date for my Bubble expiration got closer, I kept thinking about what kind of message I could leave that would make you feel most reassured and still encouraged until the end. So naturally, I ended up sharing glimpses of my music work with you lately. I’ve been working hard on music here in the U.S. these days, collaborating with different people in different ways, writing songs, and seeking inspiration through various experiences.
I’ll come back soon to you and Czennies with new music and a new side of me. I heard that some Czennies were worried I might be retiring… During this time, I know many of you, including Markfs, have been feeling anxious, and I really want to comfort you and give you strength… I’ll work really hard. But I won’t just come back after working hard, I’ll truly grow. And I’ll return with music that reflects that growth, music that expresses it in new ways. You’ve often said you like hearing my stories, so I’ll try to put more of my story into my music. That’s why I’m spending this time thinking deeply about myself, rediscovering who I am, and finding new inspiration to express myself again.
I’ll also prepare new ways to communicate soon. I’m sorry for making you wait… I made you wait a lot during my solo album too, but this time as well, I’ll make sure to repay you with something even better, worthy of the wait. Let’s both spend this time growing, and meet again soon.”
— Mark
| Bubble
“I’m not saying this as if we’ll never see each other again, but I will really miss you all. Don’t be too sad or hurt, because Mark is not going anywhere. Just wait a bit, and I will be back soon. Thank you so much for doing Bubble with me, for listening to my stories, for giving me strength, for making me smile, and for treating me so kindly. We will meet again soon. Hwaiting today, tomorrow, and the day after. I hope you sleep well on the nights that my messages aren’t there. Once again, thank you, and I love you.”
— Mark
He also sent photos of himself recently, garnering much attention online.
260420🐯💬 UPDATE pic.twitter.com/dDpiVK71bs
— َ (@0825media) April 20, 2026
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